DIMAPUR, MAY 26 (MExN): The Assam Rifles (AR) today rejected what it termed as “malicious allegations” levied by the NSCN-K (Khango) with regard to two particular incidents on May 21 and March 25.
A press release from the PRO (Defence) said that based on “inputs duly corroborated regarding movement of armed cadre from Cease Fire office of NSCN (Khango), Block-V Thillixu village to carryout extortion from fish market,” a check post was established by the Assam Rifles on May 21 at around 9:00 PM near Block-I, Thillixu.
“The suspected individual was riding a motorcycle, on being stopped for checking due to suspicious movements, he tried to escape,” the AR stated. On being caught, it said that the suspected cadre “behaved in an aggressive manner, using offensive language and tried to intimidate Assam Rifles soldiers on duty.”
“The individual was searched and one 9 mm Pistol with a magazine along with ten rounds were recovered. In addition the cadre was in possession of three fake duplicate coloured photocopies of Special cards issued by Cease Fire Supervisory Board (Khango) Supervisor, Impyangpa Ao, that further raised suspicion,” the AR said. It however informed that after due verification, the individual was “freed, immediately with strict warning, not to carry fake & duplicate photocopies of Special Cards and not to run away from Assam Rifles check post on being stopped for checking.”
With regard to the other incident, AR said that the allegations regarding interruption in shifting of cease fire office on March 25 “are absolutely baseless as Assam Rifles itself ensured secured environment at Thilixu village in view of likely inter faction clashes with splinter group of Khango faction.”
The AR informed that all cadres moved to new Cease Fire office at Block-V, Thilixu “uninterrupted except Brigadier Phueka who was wanted by the Nagaland Police for statement regarding his involvement in Lamhainamdi Killings 2021 case Crime number 02/2021 under sections 302/120B/188/34 IPC R/W25 1B/27(3).” The AR said that the individual was also absconding after “breaking a Assam Rifle vehicle check post” followed by recovery of arms and ammunition from his house on March 4, 2023.
The AR said that the allegations are an attempt to “malign the image of Dimapur Battalion, Assam Rifles which has always been in the forefront to enforce and ensure Cease Fire Ground Rules and to stop nefarious activities of armed groups.”
